Holla Back NYC empowers New Yorkers to Holla Back at street harassers. Whether you're commuting, lunching, partying, dancing, walking, chilling, drinking, or sunning, you have the right to feel safe, confident, and sexy, without being the object of some turd's fantasy. So stop walkin' on and Holla Back:
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Friday, December 21, 2007

Crotch Grabbing E-Perv

First time he got me was back in 9/05. Just another morning on the train or so I thought, but alas this was no ordinary train ride. Shortly after the train left the station I felt this little creepers hand on my crotch. It was still summer and I was wearing a skirt. It was a rather rude awakening to say the very least. I made a huge scene and proceeded to punch him in the head and he just ran out of the train at the 53rd St. and Lexington Ave. stop.

After that I would see him on the train from time to time or in my stop waiting for the train. Every time I'd see him I'd stare him down or sometimes I'd go so far as to antagonize him and tell him I was watching him. During these chance encounters I had the opportunity to observe his "perv-technique". He turns his back on his victims, cups his hand, and reaches it out behind him. I have been coming into work a little later for the past couple of months so I had not seen in him in a while.

Last Thursday 12/13, I squeezed into a very crowded Manhattan bound E-train and the doors closed behind me. Soon after the train left the station I felt a rather strange sensation in my nether regions. Someone was grabbing a hold of my crotch and holding on for dear life. Now initially I thought to myself; "This is a very crowded train, maybe it's an accident? Where in the world is this hand coming from". There was a man with his back turned directly in front of me and a woman to his right facing me. I proceeded to move said hand away and the individual forcefully put it back on my crotch. This is when I brought my magazine up as a buffer between me and this perverts filthy paws and I tapped the man on the shoulder and said "what are you doing?" Man ignored and moved his hand and himself away from me and that's when it hit me. I recognized that iron grip and I proceeded to make a huge scene and told the guy to stop touching me and told him I was going to report him to the police. I must've screamed at him for 3 stops. Eventually he got off the train.

As soon as I got off the train on West 4th I approached an officer and explained what had just transpired and he was just "like there's nothing that can be done". Later, when I got to work, my co-worker suggested I call 311 and they forwarded me to 911. Two police officers were dispatched to my office. When they arrived my boss escorted them to our conference room and said he would come and get me. The officer's told my boss they "couldn't wait". When I came into the conference room I told the officers the story and showed them the picture I had snapped with my camera-phone. One of the officers asked me if I had a gun and when I said I didn't, he suggested I "get one". They offered some tips in case I encounter him again in the future. They didn't take a statement and just told me to report it to the transit hub. I obtained the number for the transit hub and called and left a message and I still have not heard back from anyone.

No one on the train did anything to stop this guy. While I realize this man fondling me on the train is not the end of the world, I just feel like enough is enough. This is the second time this has happened in a 2 year span, and I am fairly certain I am not his only victim. At least, I can stand up for myself but I shudder to think what if I had been a young girl? I feel like the attitude I get from law enforcement, that are supposed to protect us is, to "just get over it." I'll get over it alright.. when I mace the shit out of him next time I see him. So ladies, if you see this man on the train watch your crotch!